Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ronnie Laws - Mr. Nice Guy

The music Ronnie Laws created in the 80's has always tended to be miscatagorized under the name of jazz. And such as with his previous album Solid Ground this recording contains very little that resembles even jazz FUSION let alone acoustic music. What you get in both cases is wonderfully crafted modern funky pop/R&B with some pop-jazz references. Overall the music here is closer to being that of an 80's era Jr.Walker (a fact not betrayed by the fact his classic hit "What Does It Take" is covered almost by wrote here).

As for this album taken on it's own Ronnie Laws has taken the slick elements he began adding as far back as 1979's Every Generation and updated them with more mid 80's elements such as lightly gated drums and hand claps. The odd chords on the excellent shuffling album opener "Can't Save Tomorrow" are innovative and like so much music of this era contains a strong inspiration from Stevie Wonder's compositional style. The same use of chords shows up on the eerie near instrumental "Rolling". In between that the album emphasizes nothing but uptempo tunes of which the bouncy title track,"In The Groove","You" and "Off And On Again" offer in abundance. Ronnie takes a few more little creative soujourns on "Third Hour" and "Big Stars" but generally keeps the sound intact and the material consistant. Those people who have been collecting Ronnie Laws recordings all along will find this yet another in a string of solid consistant recordings he's made since 1975. And for reference purposes I actually like Ronnie's smooth soul singing on these songs and never had a problem with it at all; don't many believe as me that in the case of Laws, Norman Connors and Michael Henderson that vocals actually enhance their music? Either way this is a must have for any Ronnie Laws fan.

1. Can't Save Tomorrow2. Mr Nice Guy3. In the Groove4. Third Hour5. You6. Big Stars7. Rolling8. What Does It Take9. Off and on Again